Random Thoughts

Random thought 1:

Waikiki is definitely filling up with people as we approach the big night (Ner Years Eve). Not just tourists -lots of homeless people, too.  I guess if you have to be homeless, this is the place to be, although most of the primo real estate along Kakakaua Avenue has already been spoken for.

Random thought 2:

My friend Bud likes to tell me how much he likes McDonalds coffee. That has been our "go to" brew since arriving. It pains me to say it but I think Starbucks tastes better, but at $9 for 2 cups, we will keep visiting the Golden Arches for our caffeine fix.

Random thought 3:

I'm not sure,  looking around, that Japan really lost the Battle of Hawaii.

Luau Night

What would a trip to Hawaii be without the cheesiest of cultural experiences,  the luau? Las night we went to the Hale Koa hotel  for their version of this feasting and dancing extravaganza. 

The dinner was excellent (at least for those of us non-vegetarians). An enjoyable evening followed by a nice walk home.

More pictures

Hear are a few more pictures from the first few days:

The kids at the summit of Diamond Head

Inside Diamond Head Crater

At the Royal Hawaiian shopping centre with our Aussie friends 

Not exactly Everest, but...

Today has been busy (and we aren't done yet).  We were up early and caught a cab to Diamond Head. Diamond Head is an extinct volcano at the East end of Waikiki. The hike was about 30 minutes and the view from the top made it very worthwhile - a great way to spend a morning.

After  the hike it was back to the hotel for a swim then off to Hilo Hattie's to do some souvenir shopping. We followed tbat up with a hula show at Kuhio Park and an excellent dinner at California Pizza Kitchen.

Beach Day

A lazy day today,  just hanging out.  The hotel is still in full-on Christmas mode, which is a bit strange for us northerners. (I can't seem to get the pictures to go where I want them to with this post, but see first pic below)

With the weather pretty much perfect, we spent part of today pretending to be Beach bums. Earlier this morning the beach was almost empty and the sea calm.(second and third pic)

After the beach we had lunch poolside and we hoped to be able to catch the Trolley to Hilo Hattie's but our timing was off... Maybe tomorrow. 

Day Two

We landed late yesterday afternoon after long but uneventful flight from LAX. Our Aussie friends are right next door and we headed out to Margaritaville before turning in for the night. 

The view from our room:

We'e off to do some exploring.  More soon.

Leg One:YYZ to LAX

We left the hotel in Toronto at 6:00 this morning for our 8:30 flight and it almost wasn't enough time.  Lineup after lineup, delay after delay and we finally made it to our gate just as they started to board. Crazy.  Much smoother her as t LAX -a short bus ride, a quick automated check-in and we were at the gate.

Getaway Day

Well, today's the day that the adventure begins!  Christmas passed in a bit of a blur - presents, food, family. A great time was had by all.  Of course that means  today is Boxing Day- as I write this at 7:00 a.m., Joanne and Shannon are already out and about looking to spend their Christmas money. While they are out I'll be dealing with the aftermath including getting the Christmas Tree de-decorated and out of the house. Packing is almost done and later today we'll head to the Hilton Toronto Airport for the night before our early flight tomorrow.

Some History

Way back in October of 1983, I decided to take pretty much every cent I had and go to Australia. I really didn't have a plan, but I was inspired by an Australian English teacher, Mr. Hosking, who was on an exchange at my High School Mr. Hosking's stories and pictures started a life long interest in all things Australian with me. On that crazy trip, I met a couple friends who I have stayed in touch with ever since. Andrew Deutsch, Sarkis Douiehi and I had some great times and they were kind enough to give me a lift back to Sydney from Surfer's Paradise. Our friendship was cemented  way back then and continues to this day. Sarkis married Maryanne one week after Joanne and I were married, and our honeymoons overlapped by a week in Waikiki. This trip, while not necessarily a re-creation, is something we've said we'd do since then.

Here's a picture of Joanne, Sarkis and I (I guess Maryanne was working the camera) from that first trip in 1988.

The Start of Our Latest Family Adventure

The Hughes Family Travels blog is fired back up as we await the start of our next adventure - we're off to Honolulu for 9 days of sunshine. 2013 has been a rather terrible year, with the loss of my sister, her husband, my Mom, my Mom's sister and my Dad's brother. We decided several months ago that we would end a tragic year on a positive note with a family trip. 2013 is also our 25th wedding anniversary (see, there were some good things this year!) and in talking with our good Aussie friends Sarkis and Maryanne Doueihi, we decided to meet up in Hawaii. We will be staying at the Hilton Waikiki Beach and probably doing all the touristy stuff. We spent our honeymoon in Hawaii in 1988 - I'm pretty sure things have changed somewhat since then.

I'll do my best to post every day, hopefully with lots of photos. Enjoy.